It Goes On

Some of this election stuff was actually getting to me today.  The anger and hate and discord that was bad enough during the campaigning but just went ballistic ever since, the crazy stuff going around the news and social media.  The students needing safe spaces and play doh and time off to recover from the trauma of a political election that didn't go their way.  A group of young "adults" who have never learned how to not get their way gracefully.  The people running around as if their lives and children are in danger, the violence escalating.  It's like a train wreck, where I'd look and look and feel worse and worse.  Then a former and formerly future student of mine posted something calling me, us, too stupid to be his friend and that I, we, should go pound sand.  At this point it wasn't just someone's political opinion on a candidate or even a group, it was a direct personal, condescending attack, from someone narrow-minded who had his opinions spoon-fed to him from memes, and to ignore it seemed like letting someone call you names to your face and you just pretend like you didn't hear them.  I can't do that.  So I let him know that he was talking to me.  He got angrier, unfriended and blocked everybody I know of from the airport, and quit the club.  I always liked him, we had a fair amount of fun as I got him his license, so part of me is sad that he turned out to be a mindless angry sheep who is biting at people even if they're not biting at him (I didn't say anything mean or rude to him).  Part of me is angry at him for his attitude and actions.  Part of me says "good riddance".   None of me regrets losing his business.  While it's a little under attack, so far in America I can't really be forced to provide services to someone if I don't want to, and with his attitudes and actions, I don't want to.  But all of the negativity around was getting to me.  So tonight I had a night flight with a young man, and we pulled the plane out as the last of the light was leaving the sky.  It was a crystal clear night with the orange and bronze sunset, just beautiful, and as we were taxiing out to the runway, with the bright blue LED lights and the multi-colored runway lights glowing, I felt the tension ease from my chest, felt my shoulders relax, felt a little warmth, a rush of endorphins.  Peace.  I felt peace.  The peace didn't stay, as soon as I got back down and started thinking about things I need to accomplish or am behind on or have to deal with coming up, but it was better, and I was grateful for beautiful night, full moon, clear sky, and quiet sunset flight.